TECHNICAL BULLETIN: Wastewater

Comparing Ferric Sulfate with Ferrous Sulfate for Wastewater Treatment

Ferric Sulfate and Ferrous Sulfate are
both commonly used for municipal and industrial wastewater treatment. These salts are used as coagulants or flocculants, for odor control to minimize hydrogen sulfide release, for phosphorus removal, and as a sludge thickening, conditioning and dewatering agent.

Ferric sulfate controls hydrogen sulfide (H2S) by binding three sulfide ions
with every two ions of iron. Stoichiometrically, this can be expressed as: 2 Fe+3 + 3 HS- Fe2S3
(solid)

+ 3 H+

Liquid ferric sulfate is a red-brown

aqueous solution that is typically sold at 50% and 60% strengths, on a dry basis. The ferric iron (Fe+3) concentration of the two solutions is 10% and 12% respectively.

Ferrous sulfate controls hydrogen sulfide by binding one sulfide ion with each single ion of iron. Stoichiometrically, this can be expressed as: Fe+2 + HS- FeS
(solid)

+ H+

Liquid ferrous sulfate is a clear, bluegreen aqueous solution that is typically sold at 25% strength on a dry basis. The ferrous ion concentration (Fe+2) is typically 5-7% by weight.

Theoretically, ferric sulfate consumes 3 ppm of HS- for every 2 ppm of ferric metal, while ferrous sulfate consumes 1 ppm of HS- for every 1 ppm of ferrous metal.

Phosphorus control is an important

function of wastewater treatment. Theoretically, ferric sulfate consumes 1 ppm of orthophosphate (PO4+3) for every 1 ppm of ferric metal, while ferrous sulfate consumes 2 ppm of PO4+3 for every 3 ppm of ferrous metal. Stoichiometrically, these reactions are expressed as: Fe+3 + PO4+3 Fe PO4 for ferric, and 3 Fe+2 + 2 PO4+3 Fe3(PO4)2 for ferrous.

Typical addition points differ for the two

chemicals. Ferric sulfate can be added in the wastewater collection system or at the treatment plant headworks, where it also provides benefits in the subsequent treatment processes. Ferrous sulfate is primarily added in the collection system and is less effective when added in the plant. Applications in Wastewater Treatment

Fats, oils and greases (FOG) commonly

build up in collection system pipes and drains. Both ferric sulfate and ferrous sulfate have proven effective in reducing FOG build-up. Also, adding ferric sulfate at the wastewater treatment plant headworks minimizes FOG scum on clarifiers.

Ferric sulfate enhances clarification by

forming a rapidly settling floc, whereas ferrous sulfate does not form a floc suitable for clarification.

Comparing Ferric Sulfate with Ferrous Sulfate for Wastewater Treatment

TECHNICAL BULLETIN

Struvite (magnesium ammonium

phosphate hexahydrate) causes scaling issues within wastewater plants. Ferric sulfate and ferrous sulfate both inhibit struvite formation by reducing the proportion of phosphate. As shown above, ferric sulfate more efficiently precipitates phosphorus.

Ferrous sulfate is made as a by-product of titanium dioxide production or from scrap iron, possibly containing undesirable levels of heavy metal contaminants. It is mildly corrosive and compatible with most commonly used plastics and rubbers, steel, alloys, ceramics and glass. Ferric sulfate and ferrous sulfate are both versatile chemicals that have many benefits for wastewater treatment. More-detailed descriptions of some of these benefits, such as phosphorus reduction, H2S control and struvite reduction, are presented in other General Chemical technical bulletins.

Manufacturing and handling are

important considerations when choosing iron-based coagulants. Ferric sulfate is made from virgin iron ore containing low levels of trace metal contaminants. It is moderately corrosive, but compatible with most commonly used plastics and rubbers, 316 Stainless Steel, ceramics, glass, Hastelloy C-276 and Alloy 20.

Typical Chemical Properties Soluble Ferric Iron (Fe+3) Soluble Ferrous Iron (Fe ) Free Sulfuric Acid (as H2SO4) Water Insolubles Product Density pH, as is pH, 1% Solution Specific Gravity (at 15.6C) Freezing Temperatures Boiling Temperatures
+2

50% Ferric Sulfate 10% Less than 0.2% Less than 3% Less than 0.1% 11.97 lbs./US gallon 1.0 (approx.) 4.8 (approx.) 1.435 Less than -50C 100C (approx.)

16% Ferrous Sulfate (FeSO4) or 28% Ferrous Sulfate Heptahydrate (FeSO47H2O) NA 5% (approx.) Less than 6% Less than 0.5% 10.09 lbs./US gallon 1.5 - 4.5 (approx., depending on source) NA 1.15 -2C (approx.); will crystallize below 10C 105 - 110C

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